Fence System

ABSTRACT

A fence having at least two posts positioned in a spaced apart relationship to one another; a rail connected across the at least two posts, the rail having an interior defined by a periphery, the periphery having a pair of ends defining an opening into the interior, the ends being rolled into the interior; a panel having an edge portion, the edge portion positioned through the opening into the interior; and a lock member having a base and an opposing top side, a front end and a tail end, the top side forming a recess and having a tapered section sloping downward, relative to the base, from the recess to the front end, wherein the lock member is positioned in the opening with one of the ends disposed in the recess and the base positioned against the panel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/870,550 filed on Dec. 18, 2006.

BACKGROUND

Fences are so common that most people do not notice the presence unless it obstructs their passage or view. As such most people do not notice the options in fence systems until they are fencing their residential yard or such. There are many fencing material options that are available even for the typical residential use. However, one common feature is the time, and thus cost, of installation.

In particular in large fence installations, the cost of fence components and the time to install fences may be a major factor in selecting a fence installation. However, cost cannot be the only concern for many fence installations. For example, in sensitive areas security fences must serve numerous purposes only one of which is the physical barrier. For example, it is often required for a security fence to provide a physical barrier, provide some type of breach alarm, enclose a large area, and be substantially visually transparent. Examples of security fence systems include, without limitation prisons, detention areas, commercial warehouses, military reservations, and international borders.

SUMMARY

In one example a connector assembly for connecting a panel having an edge portion to another member includes a rail having an interior defined by a periphery; an opening into the interior defined by a pair of ends of the periphery, the opening adapted to dispose a portion of the panel; and a lock member positionable in the opening to secure the rail into engagement with the panel when it is disposed in the opening.

An example of a fence system includes at least two posts positioned in a spaced apart relationship to one another, a connector assembly connected to the posts and a panel having an edge portion, the panel connected to the posts via the connector assembly.

In another example a fence includes at least two posts positioned in a spaced apart relationship to one another; a rail connected across the at least two posts, the rail having an interior defined by a periphery, the periphery having a pair of ends defining an opening into the interior, the ends being rolled into the interior; a panel having an edge portion, the edge portion positioned through the opening into the interior; and a lock member having a base and an opposing top side, a front end and a tail end, the top side forming a recess and having a tapered section sloping downward, relative to the base, from the recess to the front end, wherein the lock member is positioned in the opening with one of the ends disposed in the recess and the base positioned against the panel.

The foregoing has outlined some of the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and aspects of the present invention will be best understood with reference to the following detailed description of a specific embodiment of the invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of a fence of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one of the connector assemblies of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an example of a lock member for use with a connector assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of an example of a fence system of the present invention, generally denoted by the numeral 10. System 10 will be described herein with reference to a security fence. While the invention is not limited to a security fence, the security fence examples shown herein provide an efficient manner of describing various structure, function and benefits.

Fence 10 includes a fence panel 12, post 14 and panel connection assembly 16. In the illustrated security fence examples, fence 10 further includes a top panel section 12 a and a foot section 12 b. Top section 12 a is provided to deter crossing over fence 10 and foot section 12 b may be provided below ground S level to deter burrowing under fence 10.

Construction of an example of a fence 10 is now described with reference to the vertical portion of fence 10. Posts 14 are desirably set in the ground 18 along a desired fence line in a spaced apart relation to one another. A rail member 20 is connected across two or more consecutive posts 14. Sections of panel 12 are prepared for connection to posts 14, for example by laying out sections next to the fence line. Panels 12 are welded mesh, chain-link or similar type fencing material. An edge portion 13 of panel may then be disposed in rail member 20 and quickly and securely fastened to posts 14.

Fence 10 may further include a sensor system 18 that may include various types of sensors singularly or in combination, to identify attempted breaches of the fence. Sensor system 18 may include any number of sensors or instruments, such as without limitation pressure, movement, and temperature sensors. In one example of the present invention sensor system 18 is a fiber optic cable carried within connection assembly 16. However, it should be recognized that sensor system may be constructed as a part of panel 12.

Connection assembly 16 includes at least one rail member 20 connected between post 14 and panel 12. In the illustrated example, each panel 12 is secured on at least two opposing edge portions 13. In these examples, the opposing edge portions are the top and bottom edges relative to ground S. Rail 12 may be connected to post 14 via any suitable means such as welding or bolting.

Refer now to FIG. 2, wherein an exploded view of an example of a connection assembly 16 is provided. Connection assembly 16 comprises rail member 20 and may include a lock member 22. In the illustrated example, rail 20 is a rolled-form C-shaped member having a periphery 26 forming an opening 24 between ends 28 a and 28 b. With reference to FIG. 1, rail 20 is connected to post 14 along periphery 26 such that opening 24 into interior 32 is oriented substantially parallel to post 14 as illustrated by the relative orientation of post 14 and panel 12.

Although, rail 20 is shown as a “C” shaped member, it should be noted that it may have take other forms as long as it has at least two ends 28 a and 28 b defining an opening 24. For example, rail 20 may be a triangular member. Ends 28 a and 28 b may have a terminus 30 that is rolled into interior 32. When edge portion 13 of panel 12 is disposed within opening 24, ends 28 a and 28 b may substantially grip panel 12 connecting it to post 12 without wire fasteners.

The illustrated examples of connector assembly 16 further includes a lock member 22 to secure panel 12 into engagement with rail 20 and thus post 14 (FIG. 1). Lock member 22 has a base 34 and a top side 36. Lock member 22 is positioned with base 34 abutting panel 12 and top 36 contacting and engaging an end 28 a of rail 20. In FIG. 2 the engaged end 28 a is positioned in recess 42. In FIGS. 2 and 3, lock member 22 is illustrated as a four-sided wedged shaped member, however other configurations may be utilized, such as, but not limited to, triangles and non-wedge shaped members.

Refer now to FIG. 3, wherein an elevation view of an example of a lock member 22 is shown in isolation. Lock member 22 has a base 34, an opposing top 36, a front end 38, and a tail end 40. Top 36 forms a detent or recess 42 that is adapted to receive and engage on of the ends 28 a or 28 b.

Recess 42 is formed along top 36 between a tail shoulder 44 and a front shoulder 46. Top 36 has a rear section 48 between tail end 40 and tail shoulder 44. Rear section 48 may be arcurate, or curved, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Top section 36 may also include a tapered section 50 that slopes downward, relative to base 34, from front shoulder 46 to front end 38.

A method of connecting a fence panel 12 to a post 14 is now described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. A first rail 20 is connected across spaced apart posts 14 that are positioned substantially perpendicular to surface S. The first rail 20 is spaced a distance above surface S with opening 24 oriented toward surface S. A second rail 20 is connected to spaced apart posts 14, oriented substantially parallel to first rail 20 with its opening 24 facing the opening of the first rail 20. Opposing edge portions 13 of a fence panel 12 are positioned through the openings 24, and into the interiors 32, of the opposing rails 20. In some installations, opposing end members 28 a and 28 b may sufficiently grip panel 12. In other examples, lock member 22 are utilized to secure panel 12 in engagement with rail 20. Lock member 22 is oriented with base 34 facing panel 12 and front end 38 directed into interior 32 through opening 24 of rail 20. Tapered section 50 urges ends 28 a and 28 b apart expanding opening 24 until an end 28 snaps into recess 42, securing lock member 22 and functionally connecting panel 12 to post 14.

From the foregoing detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that fence devices, apparatus, systems and methods that are novel has been disclosed. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes of describing various features and aspects of the invention, and is not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the invention. It is contemplated that various substitutions, alterations, and/or modifications, including but not limited to those implementation variations which may have been suggested herein, may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims which follow. 

1. A fence system comprising: at least two posts positioned in a spaced apart relationship to one another; a connector assembly connected to the posts; and a panel having an edge portion, the panel connected to the posts via the connector assembly.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector assembly includes: a rail having an interior defined by a periphery; and an opening into the interior defined by a pair of ends of the periphery, the edge portion of the panel positioned in the opening.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the pair of ends substantially grip the panel.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the connector assembly further includes a lock member positioned in the opening to secure the panel into engagement with the rail.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the lock member includes a base side and a top side, the top side forming a recess in which one of the ends of the periphery is disposed when the rail and the panel are in the secured engagement position.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the ends of the periphery is rolled into the interior.
 7. The system of claim 2, a fiber optic sensor is positioned in the interior of the rail.
 8. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the ends of the periphery is rolled into the interior.
 9. The system of claim 4, a fiber optic sensor is positioned in the interior of the rail.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the lock member includes a base side and a top side, the top side forming a recess in which one of the ends of the periphery is disposed when the rail and panel are in the secured engagement position.
 11. The system of claim 1, a rail member fixedly connected to the post and a locking member securing the panel to the connector assembly.
 12. A fence system comprising: at least two posts positioned in a spaced apart relationship to one another; a rail connected across the at least two posts, the rail having an interior defined by a periphery, the periphery having a pair of ends defining an opening into the interior, the ends being rolled into the interior; a panel having an edge portion, the edge portion positioned through the opening into the interior; and a lock member having a base and an opposing top side, a front end and a tail end, the top side forming a recess and having a tapered section sloping downward, relative to the base, from the recess to the front end, wherein the lock member is positioned in the opening with one of the ends disposed in the recess and the base positioned against the panel.
 13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the fence system further includes a optical fiber extending along the length of the rail.
 14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the connector assembly further includes a lock member positioned in the opening to secure the panel into engagement with the rail.
 15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one of the ends of the periphery is rolled into the interior.
 16. A connector assembly for connecting a panel having an edge portion to another member, the assembly comprising: a rail having an interior defined by a periphery; an opening into the interior defined by a pair of ends of the periphery, the opening adapted to dispose a portion of the panel; and a lock member positionable in the opening to secure the rail into engagement with the panel when it is disposed in the opening.
 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein at least one of the ends of the periphery is rolled into the interior.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the lock member includes a base side and a top side, the top side forming a recess in which one of the ends of the periphery is disposed when the rail and the panel are in the secured engagement position.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the ends of the periphery is rolled into the interior.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the lock member includes: a base side; and an opposing top side, the top side forming a recess sized to fit one of the ends of the periphery, the top side having a tapered section extending from a front end of the lock member to the recess. 